First look in rehearsals for Headlong’s UK tour of August Wilson’s Fences

Headlong has released the first rehearsal images for its production of August Wilson's Fences, which tours the UK this autumn in a co-production with Leeds Playhouse, the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and HOME Manchester. It is the play's first major revival here in more than a decade.

Directing is Daniel Bailey, whose Red Pitch went from the Bush to the West End. Wilson's play sets a Pittsburgh family against the limits placed on it: Troy Maxson, a former ballplayer who has already cheated death once, jokes and holds court on the street while the pressure mounts at home; his wife Rose keeps the household intact and hopes their son Cory will inherit a wider world than his father was given.

Ray Fearon, who has played Othello for the RSC, takes Troy, with Madeline Appiah (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) as Rose. Michael Ahomka-Lindsay, lately in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, plays Lyons, Josh Tedeku is Cory, Simon-Anthony Rhoden is Gabriel and Everal A Walsh is Jim Bono.

The creative team is set and costume designer Lily Arnold, composer and sound designer Khalil Madovi, lighting designer Jai Morjaria, movement director Shelley Maxwell, fight director Kev McCurdy, design associate Emily King, casting director Heather Basten CDG, voice and dialect coach Aundrea Fudge and associate director Amber Ruby.

Lisa Maguire, Headlong's executive director, said: "It means so much to be putting August Wilson's work front and centre for audiences across the country. This extraordinary play encompasses so much of what drives us at Headlong - breathing new life into work that deserves its place in the canon, whilst asking our audiences to think and feel deeply about the world we share."

She added: "Despite being written over 40 years ago, the central themes are still all too resonant today. From the streets of Pittsburgh to our own backyard here in the UK - how much can we say has really changed? We're thrilled to be working with Daniel on his take on this classic."

Tour dates:

11-26 September: Leeds Playhouse (press night 16 September)
30 September - 3 October: Oxford Playhouse
6-31 October: Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
3-7 November: HOME Manchester
10-14 November: Nottingham Playhouse

Every venue is carrying accessible performances, with BSL-interpreted, captioned, audio-described and touch-tour dates across the run, and a chilled performance at the Lyric Hammersmith on 21 October. The production is supported by Charles Holloway OBE.